Carlo Ancelotti has decided Thomas Muller requires a period of extended rest after his exertions for Bayern Munich and Germany.

Muller was a key player under previous manager Pep Guardiola, playing over 45 games in each of the Spaniard's three seasons in charge of Bayern. The 26-year-old struggled to match up to his club form with Germany at Euro 2016.

Ancelotti is keen to get the forward back to his best ahead of the new campaign and revealed that a strategy had been discussed with the player.

Thomas Muller struggled to impress during Germany's run to the semi-finals at Euro 2016 in France

His new manager Carlo Ancelotti has decided that he requires a holiday to get him back to his best level

However, Ancelotti is clearly disinterested with allowing the young prospect to leave the Allianz Arena.

On Kimmich, Ancelotti added: 'Joshua Kimmich is an important player for us, he stays, 100 per cent.'

Kimmich now has five caps for the national team and made 23 appearances in the German top flight for Bayern last season. Bayern begin their pre-season campaign with a game against SV Lippstadt on Saturday evening.

Ancelotti insisted that there is no way Kimmich - who he described as an important player - will be leaving